Couple Questions

[RPurdy]

I just have a few questions.

-What year did they stop using speedo cables in the instrument cluster? I want to say its was 95?

-I have a set of horns off a big rig. Im debating whether or not to put them on my truck. I know I need a air compressor. But does it have to have a tank? I found a small cheap one at Harbor Freigh that runs off 12 volts and is like 100 psi. Its just tankless. Would that power them?

-What is the difference between the F250 and F350s? At least in our trucks? Its just leaf springs and possible axles right?

I appreciate any help or even tid bits of info. Thanks

[alberta 7.3]

92 would have been the first year with no speedometer cable.

[RPurdy]

So will any cluster from a 92-97 share the same compatibility?

[96F350KID]

Yes they will. Also for your airhorn idea what i did was take two sets off a international truck using a 35.00 5 gallon air tank from Advance auto parts with a 125psi max rating. At 100psi they may not be as lould but will work. For a compressor i have other things that run off of air so i needed something good and i can rely on. I just used a Lincoln Navigator air bag compressor drilled and tapped for a 1/4" air line fitting. I used a manual 1/4" ball valve to turn them on and off. Also yes the only difference is the axles and springs.

[superduty4x4]

Originally Posted by RPurdy

So will any cluster from a 92-97 share the same compatibility?

Yes and no. Any cluster from 92-97 will plug in and work, but if you put a cluster from a different year truck into yours don't be surprised if you end up with a few random lights that stay on all the time, and some that won't come on at all. Ford monkeyed with the wiring on the clusters quite a bit through the years for whatever reason... I can't recall exactly but I think 92-94 are the same, 95 is in its own world, and 96-97 are the same but don't quote me on that.
I have experienced this first-hand when I installed a 92 cluster in my old 95 to diagnose a faulty PSOM. Everything worked but I had a handful of lights that were always on. Oh and one other note, since the PSOM (which is integral to the speedometer head) stores vehicle mileage, whatever mileage the rig that the part came out of had will show on your rig if you swap clusters.

[Buffalo444]

On the 250 350 thing, they are basically exactly the same. A SRW f350 and f250 in the same configuration have the same frames and rear axles. On the OBS they have some weird front end set up on the 250's that normally gets swapped to a d60, which is stock on the 1 tons. The springs are the same. The frames are the same. The duallys have a d80 in OBS and SD's. ITs a beefier axle. Basically its just a rating thing, and what you can legally do. The trucks have WAY more potential than they were rated for. Now frames would be different between your pick-up's and cab chassis.

[superduty4x4]

Originally Posted by Buffalo444

On the 250 350 thing, they are basically exactly the same. A SRW f350 and f250 in the same configuration have the same frames and rear axles. On the OBS they have some weird front end set up on the 250's that normally gets swapped to a d60, which is stock on the 1 tons. The springs are the same. The frames are the same. The duallys have a d80 in OBS and SD's. ITs a beefier axle. Basically its just a rating thing, and what you can legally do. The trucks have WAY more potential than they were rated for. Now frames would be different between your pick-up's and cab chassis.

And the F250 has 2" rear lift blocks, the F350 has 4" rear lift blocks.

[Buffalo444]

Originally Posted by superduty4x4

And the F250 has 2" rear lift blocks, the F350 has 4" rear lift blocks.

Meh. I hardly count those though. Its almost like saying the 350 has fender flares and the 250 doesnt (if that were the case). Its really not a matter of performance. But your are right.

[superduty4x4]

Originally Posted by Buffalo444

Meh. I hardly count those though. Its almost like saying the 350 has fender flares and the 250 doesnt (if that were the case). Its really not a matter of performance. But your are right.

Yeah it's not a huge thing, but something to know I guess. Guys that put a D60 in their F250 usually will swap to the taller blocks to avoid the Cali lean and keep the truck more level.
And actually re-reading your post, the F250 front springs are quite a bit heavier than stock F350 front springs due to the twisting action of the TTB front end.

[Buffalo444]

Originally Posted by superduty4x4

Yeah it's not a huge thing, but something to know I guess. Guys that put a D60 in their F250 usually will swap to the taller blocks to avoid the Cali lean and keep the truck more level.
And actually re-reading your post, the F250 front springs are quite a bit heavier than stock F350 front springs due to the twisting action of the TTB front end.

That was one thing I didnt comment on because I didn't know. I know in the SD's they're the same but wasn't sure on the OBS's